Roadway paint stripe grooving machine

ABSTRACT

A machine for cutting grooves and intervening ridges in a roadway to receive a reflective paint and function as lane dividers. A self-propelled vehicle has a power transmission for rotating a cutter to cut the grooves to a predetermined depth as the vehicle moves along the roadway at a relatively slow speed, the cuttings being flushed from the roadway surface by water which cools and cleans the cutter, vacuum apparatus sucking the water and cuttings from the roadway surface to a separator tank for separation of the air and slurry, a slurry pump transferring the slurry to a tank for separation of the cuttings from the water. A prime mover and power transmission separate from the normal vehicle power train can drive the vehicle at a relatively slow but variable speed during the cutting operation, and at a faster speed when the vehicle motion is reversed with the cutter disengaged from the roadway surface or the cutter is otherwise disengaged. The separate prime mover and transmission are ineffective with the cutter elevated from the roadway surface when the normal vehicle power train is operative to permit highway travel of the vehicle at normal traffic speeds.

United States Patent Rowley et al.

[ 1 Sept. 26, 1972 [54] ROADWAY PAINT STRIPE GROOVING MACHINE [72]Inventors: David S. Rowley; William A. Lapp,

both of Salt Lake City, Utah [73] Assignee: Christensen Diamond ProductsCompany, Salt Lake City, Utah 22 Filed: Nov. 9, 1970 211 Appl. No.:87,685

Primary Examiner-Ernest R. Purser Attorney-Bernard Kriegel and Kendrick,Subkow & Kriegel [5 7] ABSTRACT A machine for cutting grooves andintervening ridges in a roadway to receive a reflective paint andfunction as lane dividers. A self-propelled vehicle has a powertransmission for rotating a cutter to cut the grooves to a predetermineddepth as the vehicle moves along the roadway at a relatively slow speed,the cuttings being flushed from the roadway surface by water which coolsand cleans the cutter, vacuum apparatus sucking the water and cuttingsfrom the roadway surface to a separator tank for separation of the airand slurry, a

slurry pump transferring the slurry to a tank for separation of thecuttings from the water. A prime mover and power transmission separatefrom the normal vehicle power train can drive the vehicle at arelatively slow but variable speed during the cutting operation, and ata faster speed when the vehicle motion is reversed with the cutterdisengaged from the roadway surface or the cutter is otherwisedisengaged. The separate prime mover and transmission are ineffectivewith the cutter elevated from the roadway sur- 0 face when the normalvehicle power train is operative to permit highway travel of the vehicleat normal traffic speeds.

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1 ROADWAY PAINT STRIPE GROOVING MACHINE The present invention relates tothe grooving of roadway surfaces, and more particularly to a machine forcutting parallel grooves separated by parallel ridges at the lanedivider locations of the roadway, the grooves and ridges preferably toreceive reflective highway paint.

As shown and described in the US. Pat. No. 3,529,517 of Gordon M. Liddleand Frank L. Christensen, for Marked Roadway and Method of Making theSame", a roadway of a hard material, such as concrete, has parallelgrooves or valleys cut into a roadway surface to form interveningparallel ridges, the valleys and ridges being coated with reflectivehighway paint, thereby resulting in the provision of a marking or stripedefining the side boundry of a traffic lane.

In the application of Donald H. Mabey and Jack C. Gledhill, filed Jan.22, 1969, Ser. No. 793,054, for Cutters for Forming Highway PaintReceiving Grooves, now United States Patent 3,554,606 a rotatable cutteris illustrated and described for forming the valleys and grooves shownin U.S. Pat. No. 3,529,517. As an example, the cutter is effective tooperate on the roadway surface over a width of about 4 inches. Thevalleys or grooves produced by the cutter .in the highway or roadwaysurface have tapered side walls diverging in an upward and outwarddirection, enabling the painted sides of the grooves to be visible tothe occupants of vehicles traversing the roadway.

Machines are known for cutting grooves in concrete and other roadwaysurfaces. However, they cannot cut grooves having upwardly divergentside walls since they usually employ a multiplicity of rotatable sawblades for performing the cutting operation. A machine that formsdivergent sides in the grooves which it produces is illustrated in US.pat. No. 3,414,327. This machine is operative for performing a planingoperation on a roadway surface, the width of out being of the order ofabout three feet. Such machine is comparatively complex and costly andis capable of operating at only a slow speed. It is not capable ofself-transport from one job location to another over a normal highwaysurface because of its comparatively low maximum speed.

By virtue of the present invention, a machine is provided that canaccomplish the roadway grooving at controlled, yet variable speeds ofthe vehicle which, for example, may range from about five to twenty feetper minute. Yet the apparatus is still capable of over-thehighway use atnormal traffic speeds which, for example, may range from about 30 to 70miles per hour.

The rotatable cutter for performing the grooving operation can be raisedand lowered from and into contact with the pavement, the depth of thecutter penetration below the pavement surface being preciselycontrollable.

The lateral position of the cutter on the roadway can be controlledduring grooving, as by means of an automotive type steering mechanism,the operator of the vehicle or machine being capable of steering themachine in such manner as to cause the cutter to proceed along a desiredpath or line of grooving. Through use of the machine embodying thepresent invention, detritus and liquids can be vacuumed from the groovedarea while the grooving operation is being performed, thereby preventingthe cuttings from packing into the grooves produced.

Detritus and liquids vacuumed from the groove area while the groovingoperation proceeds are pumped to a tank for disposal and separation ofthe water in the sludge from the cuttings, the water then being reusablefor flushing the grooved area while grooving proceeds.

Through use of the equipment, a substantial reduction in labor cost isachieved, since a single operator can control the cutting operationwhile the machine moves over the roadway surface, pulling a tank trailerwhich carries a vacuum source, sludge tank, and water supply forflushing the grooved area. All of such equipment can be transported fromjob to job at normal traffic speeds, avoiding the necessity for extraequipment, such as a tilt bed tractor-trailer, for transporting acutting machine for performing grooving of the roadway surfaces, and forself-propelled water tankers, and the like, which require their ownoperator.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other purposeswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a formin which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will nowbe described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that suchdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a roadway with grooves cut therein thatfunction as highway lane dividers;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a machine for cuttinggrooves in a roadway, and including a self-propelled vehicle and atrailer attached thereto;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the four wheel drive mechanismfor moving the vehicle along the roadway;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the power and cutter mechanismmounted on the vehicle for cutting the grooves in the roadway;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the several power transmission trainsfor rotating the cutter and for moving the vehicle along the roadway atvariable speeds;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged section taken along the line 6- 6 on F IG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view taken along the line 77 on FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a vertical section taken along the line 8-8 on FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view taken along the line 9--9 on FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevational view of the supporting mechanismfor an equalizing wheel that engages the roadway surface, for thepurpose of counteracting the thrust of the rotatable grooving cutter;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken in the region indicatedby the number 11 on FIG. 10.

An apparatus 10 for cutting grooves G in a roadway surface S isillustrated in the drawings, the apparatus being mounted on anover-the-road vehicle 11 having steerable front wheels 12 associatedwith a front axle l3, and rear wheels 14 associated with a rear axle 15.The vehicle has a four wheel drive, of a known type, power beingreceived from an engine 16 mounted under the hood 17, which drivesthrough a clutch 18a and change speed transmission 18 into a transfercase 19, from which rotary motion and torque is transmittable through asectional drive shaft 19:: and intervening universal joints 20 to adifferential 22, through which the power. is distributed to the rearwheel 14.

An idler gear (not shown) in the transfer case 19 normally interposedbetweenthe rear wheel drive shaft 190 and a front wheel drive shaft. 230has been removed, so that during normal over-the-road highway operationof the vehicle 11, the drive shaft 23 does not rotate and power is nottransmitted through the front differential 24 and axle 13 to the frontwheels 12, the front wheels being in a free wheeling condition. Eachfront wheel 12 is releasably coupled to the front wheel drive by a knowntype of axle clutch 25 (not shown in detail) which is engaged when thefront wheels 12 are to be driven, and which is disengaged when the frontwheels are to be placed in a free wheeling condition. Details of thefront wheel and axle clutches 25 are not illustrated since they aredevices obtainable from known sources in the open market. As an example,axle .clutches can be used manufactured by Warn Industries,

Inc. and known as a Warn Hub.

The axle clutches 25 are engaged when the apparatus is conditioned forgrooving the roadway, at which time the main truck engine 16 is idle,with the change speed transmission 18 placed in a neutral condition.With the axle clutches 25 engaged, power is delivered from a separateengine 26 mounted on the truck 11 to the grooving drive shaft 23, whichis directlyconnected through the transfer case 19 to the front axledrive line 23a, 24. Power from the engine 26 is also delivered, asdescribed hereinbelow, to a rotatable diamond cutter 28, which willeffect the grooving of the roadway R as the vehicle is moved through itsfront wheel drive therealong.

.The rotatable cutter-28 is supported at one side of the vehicle 11 andan equalizing wheel or roller 29 (FIGS. 5, 10) is supported at the otherside of the vehicle to counteract the cutter thrust, which might tend totip the vehicle. As disclosed, a jack shaft 30 is suitably supported ina frame 31 secured to and disposed below the usual truck'chassis 32. Anadjustable arm 33 is pivotally mounted on the jack shaft 30 at one sideof thevehicle, the effective length of the arm being adjustable byshifting its outer portion 34 within its inner portion 35, the extent ofinward movement of the outer portion being limited by a stop collar 36(FIG. 11) threaded on the outer portion abutting the end of the innerportion. Outward movement of the outer portion 34 relative to the innerportion is prevented by a clamp nut 37 threaded on the outer portion andhaving a flange 38 that engages the stop collar 36.

The cutter 28 which has spaced parallel ridges 39 thereon normal to itsaxis and intervening valleys or grooves 40, the ridges and grooveshaving diamond cutting elements 41 thereon, is described in theaboveidentified application, Ser. No. 793,054. It is suitably secured toa shaft structure 42 (FIG. 8) supported in bearings 43 mounted withinbearing supports 44 suitably secured to the outer arm portion 34.For'the purpose of limiting the depth of penetration of the cutter intothe roadway surface S, control rollers 45 are rotatably mounted on thebearing supports44 on opposite sides of the cutter, these rollers havingrims 46 made of a suitable material, such as polyurethane. These rimsengage the roadway surface, limiting the extent that the larger diameterridges 39 of the cutter can penetrate into the roadway surface. Asspecifically illustrated, the diameter of the depth-of-cut roller rims46 is equal to the diameter of the inner bases of the grooves or valleys40 of the cutter.

The rotatable cutter 28 is lowered into a cutting position forpenetrating the pavement surface, and can be elevated therefrom, by afluid operated cylinder and linkage mechanism. Another like mechanism isused for raising and lowering the equalizing roller 29 (FIG. 10). Asspecifically shown, a lower link 47 is pivotally connected by a pin 48to an arm 49 secured to and extending upwardly from the outer portion 34of the supporting arm 33. The upper end of this link has a pin 50extending therethrough which also extends through the lower end of anupper link 51, the upper end of which is connected by a pivot pin 52 toa bracket 53 secured to the frame 31. A cylinder 54 has its head endsuitably, pivotally connected to the frame 31, a piston 55 beingreciprocable in the cylinder and having a rod 56 extending from the rodend of the cylinder and attached to a yoke 57 connected to theintervening pin 50.

When air under pressure is introduced into the head end of the cylinder54, it shifts the piston 55 and rod 56 outwardly, which will act on thelinkage 47, 51 to swing the cutter supporting arm 33 downwardly aboutthe axis of the jack shaft 30 and bring the rotating cutter 28 intoengagement with the roadway surface S, the extent of its penetrationinto the roadway being limited by engagement of the depth-of-cut rollers45 with the roadway surface. When the cutter is to be elevated, airunder pressure is fed into the rod end of the cylinder 54, effectingretraction of the piston 55 and rod 56 therewithin, swinging of theupper link 51 about its upper pivot 52 to effect an upward movement ofthe lower link 47 and of the lower portion of the supporting arm 33 andof the cutter 28, to remove the latter, as well as the depth-of-cutrollers 45 from the roadway surface S. v

A similar arrangement is disposed on the other side of the vehicle (FIG.10). Thus, an adjustable arm 33 is pivotally mounted on the jack shaft30, a cylinder 54, piston 55, rod 56 and linkage mechanism 47-53 beingpin connected to each other and to the frame 31, as well as to the outerend of the adjustable arm 34, this arm rotatably carrying the equalizingwheel 29, which will engage the roadway surface S. The equalizing wheelis engaged with the roadway surface simultaneously with downwardmovement of the cutter 28 into engagement with the roadway surface, andit is elevated from the roadway surface simultaneously with elevation ofthe cutter therefrom.

The cutter 28 is rotated, and the vehicle driven through its frontwheels 12, by the prime mover 26 mounted on the chassis 32 of thevehicle, and which is separate from the normal engine 16 used for movingthe vehicle over the road. The rotation of the engine 26 is transmittedthrough a releasable clutch 200, such as an air operated clutch, to agear reducer 201, the output shaft 202 of which has a sheave 203 affixedthereto. A belt 204 passes over this sheave and over a driving sheave orpulley 205 rotatably mounted on a shaft 206 suitably supported on thevehicle frame 32, a suitable clutch 207, such as an air operated clutch,being engageable to transmit the torque and turning effort from thedriven pulley 205 to the shaft 206. Another pulley 208 is affixed to theshaft 206, driving a belt 209 which,

in turn, drives a pulley or sheave 210 affixed to the jack shaft 30.Rotation of the jack shaft is transferred to the cutter 28 through adriving pulley or sheave 211 mounted on the jack shaft 30, around whicha belt 212 passes, which also passes around a pulley 213 affixed to thecutter shaft structure 42.

It is apparent that when the main engine clutch 200 is engaged and theother clutch 207 is also engaged, rotation of the cutter 28 is effected.Disengagement of the clutch 207 will, of course, effect discontinuancein the rotation of the cutter.

While the cutter 28 is being rotated, the vehicle may be driven throughits front wheels 12 from the same engine power source 26 as operates thecutter, the normal vehicle engine 16 being inoperative to transmitmotion to the rear wheels 14 of the vehicle. Secured to the shaft 206 isa driving pulley 215 over which a belt 216 passes, which also passesover a driven pulley 217 secured to the drive shaft 218 of a low speedvariable transmission ratio gear reducer 219, the transmission ratiobeing selected by the operator through appropriate manipulation of thegear shift handles 220, 221. The output or driven shaft 222 of thetransmission 219 has a pulley 223 affixed thereto which drives a belt224 passing over another pulley 225 attached to the driving member of anair operated clutch 226, the

driven portion of this clutch being secured to a shaft 227 which isrotated when the air clutch is engaged. This shaft 227 forms the inputor drive shaft of a right angle gear reducer box 228 that effectsrotation of its driven shaft 229 that has a sprocket 230 affixed theretoover which a drive chain 231 passes and which meshes with a drivensprocket 232 affixed to the drive shaft 23 that effects rotation of thefront wheels 12, when the axle clutches 25 are engaged, and propulsionof the vehicle over the roadway R (FIGS. 5, 3).

It will be apparent that the engagement of the low speed air clutch 226will effect forward propulsion of the vehicle at a speed dependent uponthe gear ratio selected through manipulation of the shiftable handles220, 221. The vehicle is also movable forwardly at relatively highspeeds with the cutter 28 disengaged from the pavement R, but stillrotating since the air clutch 207 is held engaged, although the otherair clutch 226 leading to the gear reducer box 228 is disengaged. Therotation of the shaft 206 is transmitted to a high speed forward andreverse gear box 235 through a pulley 236 affixed to the shaft 206,around which a belt 237 passes. It also passes around a driven pulley238 affixed to the driving portion of another clutch 239, such as an airclutch, the driven pulley 238 being rotatably mounted on a transverseshaft 240. When the clutch 239 is engaged, the shaft 240 is rotated, therotation of this shaft, which is a relatively high speed shaft, beingtransmitted through the gear box 235 to an output shaft 241. The shiftlevers 242 of the gear box can be manipulated to provide several forwardspeeds of the output shaft 241, as well as rotation of the output shaftin a reverse direction, all of such speeds being higher than any of thelow speed transmission ratios than can be selected in the gear box 219for normally propelling the vehicle in the forward direction with thecutter 28 engaging the pavement. The rotation of the driven shaft 241 ineither forward or reverse direction, as selected by the shift levers 242of the high speed forward and reverse gear box 235, is transmitted froma drive pulley or sheave 243 fixed to the driven shaft 241 to a belt 244which, in turn, passes over a driven pulley or sheave 245 affixed to theshaft 227 that rotates the front wheels 12 through the gear box 228 andsprocket and chain train 230-232. Accordingly, motion of the vehiclewith the cutter 28 disengaged from the pavement is secured at asubstantially higher forward speed than the vehicle is moved with thecutter engaged with the pavement. Reverse movement of the vehicle withthe cutter 28 disengaged from the pavement can be obtained throughdisengagement of the air clutch 226 and engagement of the other clutch239. Preferably, the apparatus is equipped with automatically actuatedinterlocking devices that prevent the possibility of simul taneousengagement of both clutches 226, 239.

Water for cooling the cutter 28 and for cleaning the pavement surface Sof cuttings is directed into a water line 300, the entrance to which maybe conveniently located at the rear of the vehicle, which communicateswith a pair of oppositely directed branching water lines 301 that feedwater into a pair of headers 302 disposed forwardlyand rearwardly of thecutter 28, and having nozzles 303 therein for directing water jetsagainst the cutter and the pavement surface (FIGS. 7, 8). The slurry ,ofwater and cuttings, and ambient air, are removed from the working regionby a vacuum pick-up device including vacuum tubes 304 disposed forwardlyand rearwardly of the cutter and of the nozzles, these vacuum tubesbeing connected to a suction line 305 extending to the upper end of acyclone separating tank 306 (H6. 4). The vacuum is produced by apositive displacement vacuum pump 307 mounted on the vehicle, therebeing a suction pipe 308 extending from the upper end of the separatingtank to the vacuum pump and a discharge pipe 309 running from the vacuumpump and through a suitable muffler 310 to the atmosphere.

The water and cuttings settle toward the bottom of the separating tank306 and are removed therefrom by slurry pump 311 connected thereto,which pumps the slurry through a discharge hose 311a which is connectedto the bottom of a slurry tank 312 mounted on a trailer 313 suitablycoupled to the rear end of the truck chassis, as by means of a couplinghitch 314. The tank is divided into a plurality of compartments 315,316, 317, such as three separate compartments, the center tank 316 beingthe one into which the slurry is discharged from the line 311a, thecuttings settling to the bottom of this tank; whereas the clean water iscarried in the end compartments 315, 317, a pump 318 on the trailerpumping this water through a line 319 connected to the fresh water inlet300. The end compartments intercommunicate through a pipe 319a extendingthrough the lower portion of the center tank 316.

The vacuum pump 307 is driven from the grooving engine 26, there being adriving pulley 320 secured to the engine shaft which transmits itsmotion through a belt 321 to a pulley 322 mounted on an operating shaftof the vacuum pump. Similarly, the slurry pump 311 is driven from theengine 26, there being a driving pulley (not shown) mounted on theengine shaft which transmits its motion through a belt 323 to a drivenpulley 324 fixed to the shaft of the slurry pump. As disclosed in thedrawings, an air compressor 325 is also carried on the truck, beingsuitably power operated from the engine 26. The compressed air passesthrough a suitable line 326 to an air storage tank 327 supported on thevehicle.

In the operation of the apparatus in performing a grooving operation inthe pavement surface, the vehicle clutch 18a is disengaged, the axleclutches 25 being engaged so that the propulsion of the vehicle takesplace through the front wheels 12. The engine 26 is started and theclutch 200 engaged with the cutter 28 and equalizing wheel or roller 29out of engagement from the pavement surface, thereby effecting rotationof the cutter through the power train 203-213. Air under pressure is nowfed into the head ends of the cylinders 54 which will engage therotating cutter 28 and the equalizer wheel 29 with the pavement surfaceS, the proper gear ratio being selected in the gear box 219, and the airclutch 226 engaged to effect forward propulsion movement of the vehiclewith the cutter 28 cutting the grooves G in the roadway surface along adesired path. The appropriate positioning of the cutter is noted by theoperator of the vehicle through an inclined mirror 350 suitablysupported under the floor of the vehicle cab whichcan be viewed througha hole 351 in the cab floor. Steering guidance is effected throughanother inclined mirror 352 suitably mounted on a support 353 affixed tothe front of the vehicle frame, this mirror enabling the operator toobserve the position of a pointer 354 fixed to the vehicle frame 32which will be aligned with the rotating cutter 28. By maintaining thepointer 354 along a desired line of movement over the highway, assuranceis had that the cutter will follow the same line of movement. Anotherpointer 355 at the forward part of the vehicle, which can also be viewedby the operator from the inclined mirror 352, is attached to a suitablesupport 356 affixed to the front wheel steering linkage. By noting therelative positions of the two pointers 354, 355, the operator can steerthe vehicle as desired for the purpose of controlling the position ofthe cutter 28 on the pavement.

During theoperation of the cutter 28 on the pavement, flushing water isbeing discharged from the nozzles 303, and the mixture of the water,cuttings and air is being sucked through the pick-up tubes 304 andthrough the suction line 305 into the separator tank 306, the suctionbeing maintained by rotation of the positive displacement vacuum pump307, which removes the air from the separating tank. The slurry pump 311 removes the slurry and discharges it into the tank compartment 316mounted on the vehicle trailer 313. As noted above, the water supply isalso carried in the forward end rear compartments 315, 317 of the tank.

In the event it is-desired to move the vehicle forwardly atsubstantially higher speed than can be effected through the low speedgear reduction box 219, with rotation of the cutter 28 continuing, thecutter 28 and roller29 are elevated, the clutch 226 is disengaged andthe other clutch 239 engaged so that driving of the vehicle then takesplace through the high speed forward and reverse gear box 235, thevdesired forward speed being selected through manipulation of the shiftlevers 252. If reverse movement of the vehicle is desired, thetransmission 235 is placed in reverse gear, whereupon the clutch 239 isengaged, such reverse action occurring with the cutter 28 elevated anddisengaged from the pavement.

In the event it is desired to move the vehicle to a relatively remotelocation, the cutter 28 and equalizing roller 29 are disengaged from thepavement. The axle clutches 25 are disengaged, which places the frontwheels 12 in a free wheeling condition. The main clutch 200 leading fromthe grooving engine 26 isunclutched, which permits the vehicle to beoperated by the normal vehicle engine 16 through its clutch 18a andtransmission 18 to drive the rear wheels 14 and effect operation of thevehicle over the road in its normal manner. Such vehicle operation cantake place at usual highway speeds, which may range from 30 to miles perhour; whereas, the speeds for performing the grooving operation in theconcrete, asphalt, or other pavement, would take place at a forwardvehicle speed of from about 5 to 20 feet per minute. Because of theability to move the equipment between job locations at a relativelyrapid speed, it is unnecessary to furnish auxiliary equipment, such astilt bed tractor-trailers for conveying the apparatus between locations.

In addition to the foregoing, it is to be noted that all of theauxiliary equipment, which is not mounted on the vehicle itself, iscarried in the trailer 313 pulled by the vehicle. Thus, a singleoperator can perform all required functions with the apparatus,including the grooving of the pavement surface, the cleaning andflushing of the cuttings from the work area, the vacuuming of thecuttings and their discharge into the tank 315-317, and the withdrawalof water from the trailer mounted tank back to the nozzles 303. Movementof the vehicle through the front wheel drive mechanisms at higherforward speeds and in reverse can also be effected by the same singleoperator with the cutter 28 disengaged from the pavement surface.Accordingly, a substantial saving of labor cost is effected since oneoperator can perform all necessary operations. This is to bedistinguished from other apparatus in which an operator of the groovingmachine is required, as well as a helper, and a driver for a separatetanker.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for cutting roadway surfaces: a vehicle having achassis, roadway engaging wheels for moving said vehicle longitudinallyalong the roadway, a first prime mover and first transmission meansinterconnecting said prime mover and at least some of said wheels formoving the vehicle over the roadway surface; cutter means supported bysaid chassis for cutting the roadway surface; means for rotating saidcutter means to cut the roadway surface; second prime mover and secondtransmission means interconnecting said second prime mover and at leastone of said wheels for moving the vehicle over the roadway surface at asubstantially slower speed than said first prime mover and firsttransmission means during engagement of said cutter means with theroadway surface, said second prime mover and second transmission meansbeing carried by said chassis.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; said means for rotating saidcutter means including said second prime mover.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim l; and means for selectivelyrendering said first prime mover and first transmission meansinoperative when said second prime mover and second transmission meansare operative to move the vehicle over the roadway surface, and torender said second prime mover and second transmission means inoperativewhen said first prime mover and first transmission means are operativeto move the vehicle over the roadway surface.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; said first prime mover and firsttransmission means being operatively connectible to rear roadwayengaging wheels; said second prime mover and second transmission meansbeing operatively connectible to steerable front roadway engagingwheels. I

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectively raising andlowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadwaysurface; said second transmission means including transmission ratiochange means-to enable the vehicle to be moved over the roadway surfaceat a faster speed with the cutter means disengaged from the roadwaysurface than when the cutter means is engaged with the roadway surface.6;. An apparatus as defined in claim ll; means for selectively raisingand lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadwaysurface; said second transmission means including forward and reversegear means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over the roadwaysurface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface and inreverse over the roadway surface with the cutter means disengaged fromthe roadway surface.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim ll; means for selectively raisingand lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadwaysurface; said second transmission means including transmission ratiochange means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over theroadway surface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface;said second transmission means further including a reverse gear toenable the vehicle to be moved reversely over the roadway surface withthe cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectively raising andlowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadwaysurface; said second transmission means including transmission ratiochange means to enable the vehicle to be moved over the roadway surfaceat a faster speed with the cutter means disengaged from the roadwaysurface than when the cutter means is engaged with the roadway surface;said first prime mover and first transmission means being operativelyconnectible to rear roadway engaging wheels; said second prime mover andsecond transmission means being operatively connectible to steerablefront roadway engaging wheels.

9'. An apparatus as defined in claim 1*, means for selectively raisingand lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadwaysurface; said second transmission means including forward and reversegear means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over the roadwaysurface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface and inreverse over the roadway surface with the cutter means disengaged fromthe roadway surface; said first prime mover and first transmission meansbeing operatively connectible to rear roadway engaging wheels; saidsecond prime mover and second transmission means being operativelyconnectible to steerable front roadway engaging wheels.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectively raisingand lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadwaysurface; said second transmission means including transmission ratiochange means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over theroadway surface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface;said second transmission means further including a reverse gearto enablethe vehicle to be moved reversely over the roadway surface with thecutter means disengaged from the roadway surface; said first prime moverand first transmission means being operatively connectible to rearroadway engaging wheels; said second prime mover and second transmissionmeans being operatively connectible to steerable front roadway engagingwheels.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectively raisingand lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadwaysurface; said second transmission means including transmission ratiochange means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over theroadway surface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface;said second transmission means further including a reverse gear toenable the vehicle to be moved reversely over the roadway surface withthe cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface; said first primemover and first transmission means being operatively connectible to rearroadway engaging wheels; said second prime mover and second transmissionmeans being operatively connectible to steerable front roadway engagingwheels; and means for selectively rendering said first prime mover andfirst transmission means inoperative when said second prime mover andsecond transmission means are operative to move the vehicle over theroadway surface, and to render said second prime mover and secondtransmission means inoperative when said first prime mover and firsttransmission means are operative to move the vehicle over the roadwaysurface.

l2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; said cutter means being locatedentirely at one side of the vehicle; and an equalizing means at theother side of the vehicle supported by the chassis and engageable withthe roadway surface to prevent said cutter means from tilting saidchassis when engaged with the roadway surface.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; said cutter means being locatedentirely at one side of the vehicle; and an equalizing means at theother side of the vehicle supported by the chassis and engageable withthe roadway surface to prevent said cutter means from tilting saidchassis when engaged with the roadway surface; and means for raising andlowering said cutter means and equalizing means from and into engagementwith the roadway surface.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectively raisingand lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadwaysurface; said second transmission means including transmission ratiochange means to enable the vehicle to be moved over the roadway surfaceat a faster speed with the cutter Eli means disengaged from the roadwaysurface than when the cutter means is engaged with the roadway surface;said cutter means being located entirely atone side of the vehicle;equalizing means at the other side of the vehicle supported by thechassis and engageable with the roadway surface to prevent said cuttermeans from tilting said chassis when engaged with the roadway surface;and means for raising and lowering said equalizing means from and intoengagement with the roadway surface.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectively raisingand lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadwaysurface; said second transmission means including transmission ratiochange means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over theroadway surface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface;said second transmission means further including a reverse gear toenable the vehicle to be moved reversely over the roadway surface withthe cutter means disengaged from the roadway. surface; said cutter meansbeing located entirely at one sideof the vehicle; equalizing means atthe other side of the vehicle supported by the chassis and engageablewith the roadway surface to prevent said cutter means from tilting saidchassis when engaged with theroadway surface; and means for raising andlowering said equalizing means from and into engagement with the roadwaysurface.

16, An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectively raisingand lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with the roadwaysurface; said second transmission means including transmission ratiochange means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over theroadway surface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface;said second transmission means further including a reverse gear toenable the vehicle to be moved reversely over the roadway surface withthe cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface; said first primemover and first transmission means being operatively connectible to rearroadway engaging wheels; 'said second'prime mover and secondtransmission means being operatively connectible to steerablefrontroadway engaging wheels; and means for selectively rendering said firstprime mover and first transmission means inoperative when said secondprime mover and second transmission means are operative to move thevehicle over the roadway surface and to render said second prime moverand second transmission means inoperative when said first prime moverand first transmission means are operative to move the vehicle over theroadway surface; said cutter means being located entirely at one side ofthe vehicle; and equalizing means atthe other side of the vehiclesupported by the chassis and engageable with the roadway surface toprevent said cutter means from tilting said chassis when engaged withthe roadway surface; and means for raising and lowering said equalizingmeans from and into engagement with the roadway surface.

17. An apparatus for cutting roadway surfaces: a vehicle movable overthe roadway surface; a cutter for cutting the roadway surface; means forsupporting said cutter from the vehicle for engagement with the roadwaysurface entirely at one side of the vehicle; an

equalizer member; means for supporting said equalizer member from thevehicle for engagement with the roadway surface at the opposite side ofthe vehicle to resist tilt of the vehicle by said cutter when engagedwith the roadway surface; means for moving said cutter and equalizingmember into and from engagement with the roadway surface; and means forrotating said cutter for cutting into the roadway surface as the vehiclemoves therealong.

18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17; said cutter supporting meanscomprising an arm pivotally supported on the vehicle at its upper endwith the cutter rotatably mounted on the lower end of the arm; saidequalizer member supporting means comprising an arm pivotally supportedon the vehicle at its upper end with the equalizer member mounted onthelower end of said arm; said means for moving said cutter and equalizermember comprising means connected to said arms to raise and lower saidarms about their pivotal supports on the vehicle.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 17; said cutter supporting meanscomprising an arm pivotally supported on the vehicle at its upper endwith the cutter rotatably mounted on the lower end of the arm; saidequalizer member supporting means comprising an arm pivotally supportedon the vehicle at its upper end with the equalizer member mounted on thelower end of said arm; said means for moving said cutter and equalizermember comprising cylinder means for each arm, piston means for each armin said cylinder means, and linkage means for each arm connected to saidarm, piston means and vehicle for swinging each arm about its pivotalsupport in response'to the feeding of fluid under pressure into saidcylinder means to effect engagement and disengagement of said cutter andequalizer member with respect to the roadway surface.

20. An apparatus as defined in claim 17; said equalizer membercomprising a wheel rotatably mounted on said equalizer member supportingmeans for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation ofsaid cutter.

21. An apparatus as defined in claim 17; said equalizer membercomprising a wheel rotatably mounted on said equalizer member supportingmeans for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation ofsaid cutter; said cutter supporting means comprising an arm pivotallysupported on the vehicle at its upper end with the cutter rotatablymounted on the lower end of said arm; said equalizer member supportingmeans comprising an arm pivotally supported on the vehicle attits upperend and with the wheel rotatably mounted on the lower end of said arm;said means for moving said cutter and equalizing member comprising meansconnected to said arms to raise and lower said arms about their pivotalsupports on the vehicle.

22. An apparatus as defined in claim 17; said equalizer membercomprising a wheel rotatably mounted on said equalizer member supportingmeans for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation ofsaid cutter; said cutter supporting means comprising an arm pivotallysupported on the vehicle at its upper end with the cutter rotatablymounted on the lower end of said arm; said equalizer member supportingmeans comprising an arm pivotally supported on the vehicle at its upperend and with the wheel rotatably mounted on the lower end of said arm;said means for moving said

1. An apparatus for cutting roadway surfaCes: a vehicle having achassis, roadway engaging wheels for moving said vehicle longitudinallyalong the roadway, a first prime mover and first transmission meansinterconnecting said prime mover and at least some of said wheels formoving the vehicle over the roadway surface; cutter means supported bysaid chassis for cutting the roadway surface; means for rotating saidcutter means to cut the roadway surface; second prime mover and secondtransmission means interconnecting said second prime mover and at leastone of said wheels for moving the vehicle over the roadway surface at asubstantially slower speed than said first prime mover and firsttransmission means during engagement of said cutter means with theroadway surface, said second prime mover and second transmission meansbeing carried by said chassis.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1;said means for rotating said cutter means including said second primemover.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; and means for selectivelyrendering said first prime mover and first transmission meansinoperative when said second prime mover and second transmission meansare operative to move the vehicle over the roadway surface, and torender said second prime mover and second transmission means inoperativewhen said first prime mover and first transmission means are operativeto move the vehicle over the roadway surface.
 4. An apparatus as definedin claim 1; said first prime mover and first transmission means beingoperatively connectible to rear roadway engaging wheels; said secondprime mover and second transmission means being operatively connectibleto steerable front roadway engaging wheels.
 5. An apparatus as definedin claim 1; means for selectively raising and lowering said cutter meansfrom and into engagement with the roadway surface; said secondtransmission means including transmission ratio change means to enablethe vehicle to be moved over the roadway surface at a faster speed withthe cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface than when thecutter means is engaged with the roadway surface.
 6. An apparatus asdefined in claim 1; means for selectively raising and lowering saidcutter means from and into engagement with the roadway surface; saidsecond transmission means including forward and reverse gear means toenable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over the roadway surface withthe cutter means engaged with the roadway surface and in reverse overthe roadway surface with the cutter means disengaged from the roadwaysurface.
 7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectivelyraising and lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with theroadway surface; said second transmission means including transmissionratio change means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over theroadway surface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface;said second transmission means further including a reverse gear toenable the vehicle to be moved reversely over the roadway surface withthe cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface.
 8. An apparatus asdefined in claim 1; means for selectively raising and lowering saidcutter means from and into engagement with the roadway surface; saidsecond transmission means including transmission ratio change means toenable the vehicle to be moved over the roadway surface at a fasterspeed with the cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface thanwhen the cutter means is engaged with the roadway surface; said firstprime mover and first transmission means being operatively connectibleto rear roadway engaging wheels; said second prime mover and secondtransmission means being operatively connectible to steerable frontroadway engaging wheels.
 9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; meansfor selectively raising and lowering said cutter means from and intoengagement with the roadway surface; said second transmission meansincluding forward and reverse gear means to enable the vehicle to bemoved forwardly over The roadway surface with the cutter means engagedwith the roadway surface and in reverse over the roadway surface withthe cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface; said first primemover and first transmission means being operatively connectible to rearroadway engaging wheels; said second prime mover and second transmissionmeans being operatively connectible to steerable front roadway engagingwheels.
 10. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectivelyraising and lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with theroadway surface; said second transmission means including transmissionratio change means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over theroadway surface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface;said second transmission means further including a reverse gear toenable the vehicle to be moved reversely over the roadway surface withthe cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface; said first primemover and first transmission means being operatively connectible to rearroadway engaging wheels; said second prime mover and second transmissionmeans being operatively connectible to steerable front roadway engagingwheels.
 11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectivelyraising and lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with theroadway surface; said second transmission means including transmissionratio change means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over theroadway surface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface;said second transmission means further including a reverse gear toenable the vehicle to be moved reversely over the roadway surface withthe cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface; said first primemover and first transmission means being operatively connectible to rearroadway engaging wheels; said second prime mover and second transmissionmeans being operatively connectible to steerable front roadway engagingwheels; and means for selectively rendering said first prime mover andfirst transmission means inoperative when said second prime mover andsecond transmission means are operative to move the vehicle over theroadway surface, and to render said second prime mover and secondtransmission means inoperative when said first prime mover and firsttransmission means are operative to move the vehicle over the roadwaysurface.
 12. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; said cutter means beinglocated entirely at one side of the vehicle; and an equalizing means atthe other side of the vehicle supported by the chassis and engageablewith the roadway surface to prevent said cutter means from tilting saidchassis when engaged with the roadway surface.
 13. An apparatus asdefined in claim 1; said cutter means being located entirely at one sideof the vehicle; and an equalizing means at the other side of the vehiclesupported by the chassis and engageable with the roadway surface toprevent said cutter means from tilting said chassis when engaged withthe roadway surface; and means for raising and lowering said cuttermeans and equalizing means from and into engagement with the roadwaysurface.
 14. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectivelyraising and lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with theroadway surface; said second transmission means including transmissionratio change means to enable the vehicle to be moved over the roadwaysurface at a faster speed with the cutter means disengaged from theroadway surface than when the cutter means is engaged with the roadwaysurface; said cutter means being located entirely at one side of thevehicle; equalizing means at the other side of the vehicle supported bythe chassis and engageable with the roadway surface to prevent saidcutter means from tilting said chassis when engaged with the roadwaysurface; and means for raising and lowering said equalizing means fromand into engagement with the roadway surface.
 15. An apparatus asdefined in claim 1; meaNs for selectively raising and lowering saidcutter means from and into engagement with the roadway surface; saidsecond transmission means including transmission ratio change means toenable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over the roadway surface withthe cutter means engaged with the roadway surface; said secondtransmission means further including a reverse gear to enable thevehicle to be moved reversely over the roadway surface with the cuttermeans disengaged from the roadway surface; said cutter means beinglocated entirely at one side of the vehicle; equalizing means at theother side of the vehicle supported by the chassis and engageable withthe roadway surface to prevent said cutter means from tilting saidchassis when engaged with the roadway surface; and means for raising andlowering said equalizing means from and into engagement with the roadwaysurface.
 16. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means for selectivelyraising and lowering said cutter means from and into engagement with theroadway surface; said second transmission means including transmissionratio change means to enable the vehicle to be moved forwardly over theroadway surface with the cutter means engaged with the roadway surface;said second transmission means further including a reverse gear toenable the vehicle to be moved reversely over the roadway surface withthe cutter means disengaged from the roadway surface; said first primemover and first transmission means being operatively connectible to rearroadway engaging wheels; said second prime mover and second transmissionmeans being operatively connectible to steerable front roadway engagingwheels; and means for selectively rendering said first prime mover andfirst transmission means inoperative when said second prime mover andsecond transmission means are operative to move the vehicle over theroadway surface, and to render said second prime mover and secondtransmission means inoperative when said first prime mover and firsttransmission means are operative to move the vehicle over the roadwaysurface; said cutter means being located entirely at one side of thevehicle; and equalizing means at the other side of the vehicle supportedby the chassis and engageable with the roadway surface to prevent saidcutter means from tilting said chassis when engaged with the roadwaysurface; and means for raising and lowering said equalizing means fromand into engagement with the roadway surface.
 17. An apparatus forcutting roadway surfaces: a vehicle movable over the roadway surface; acutter for cutting the roadway surface; means for supporting said cutterfrom the vehicle for engagement with the roadway surface entirely at oneside of the vehicle; an equalizer member; means for supporting saidequalizer member from the vehicle for engagement with the roadwaysurface at the opposite side of the vehicle to resist tilt of thevehicle by said cutter when engaged with the roadway surface; means formoving said cutter and equalizing member into and from engagement withthe roadway surface; and means for rotating said cutter for cutting intothe roadway surface as the vehicle moves therealong.
 18. An apparatus asdefined in claim 17; said cutter supporting means comprising an armpivotally supported on the vehicle at its upper end with the cutterrotatably mounted on the lower end of the arm; said equalizer membersupporting means comprising an arm pivotally supported on the vehicle atits upper end with the equalizer member mounted on the lower end of saidarm; said means for moving said cutter and equalizer member comprisingmeans connected to said arms to raise and lower said arms about theirpivotal supports on the vehicle.
 19. An apparatus as defined in claim17; said cutter supporting means comprising an arm pivotally supportedon the vehicle at its upper end with the cutter rotatably mounted on thelower end of the arm; said equalizer member supporting means comprisingan arm pivotally supported on the vehicle at its upper End with theequalizer member mounted on the lower end of said arm; said means formoving said cutter and equalizer member comprising cylinder means foreach arm, piston means for each arm in said cylinder means, and linkagemeans for each arm connected to said arm, piston means and vehicle forswinging each arm about its pivotal support in response to the feedingof fluid under pressure into said cylinder means to effect engagementand disengagement of said cutter and equalizer member with respect tothe roadway surface.
 20. An apparatus as defined in claim 17; saidequalizer member comprising a wheel rotatably mounted on said equalizermember supporting means for rotation about an axis parallel to the axisof rotation of said cutter.
 21. An apparatus as defined in claim 17;said equalizer member comprising a wheel rotatably mounted on saidequalizer member supporting means for rotation about an axis parallel tothe axis of rotation of said cutter; said cutter supporting meanscomprising an arm pivotally supported on the vehicle at its upper endwith the cutter rotatably mounted on the lower end of said arm; saidequalizer member supporting means comprising an arm pivotally supportedon the vehicle at its upper end and with the wheel rotatably mounted onthe lower end of said arm; said means for moving said cutter andequalizing member comprising means connected to said arms to raise andlower said arms about their pivotal supports on the vehicle.
 22. Anapparatus as defined in claim 17; said equalizer member comprising awheel rotatably mounted on said equalizer member supporting means forrotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said cutter;said cutter supporting means comprising an arm pivotally supported onthe vehicle at its upper end with the cutter rotatably mounted on thelower end of said arm; said equalizer member supporting means comprisingan arm pivotally supported on the vehicle at its upper end and with thewheel rotatably mounted on the lower end of said arm; said means formoving said cutter and equalizing member comprising cylinder means foreach arm, piston means for each arm in said cylinder means, and linkagemeans for each arm connected to said arm, piston means and vehicle forswinging each arm about its pivotal support in response to the feedingof fluid under pressure into said cylinder means to effect engagementand disengagement of said cutter and wheel with respect to the roadwaysurface.